Mysterious Monuments That Baffle Scientists

Inca City Of Machu-Pichu, Peru

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It’s now a major tourist site for the stunning views and the breathtaking architecture that seem to blend with the environment. Not an inch of the Inca City of Machu-Pichu looks out of place. Located on a mountain range above the Sacred Valley, this place naturally attracts awe and respect. The city is built so intricately, it’s impossible to imagine the scheme of its architecture. Historians and scientists have scratched their heads for years trying to figure out how stones of this size were transported to a height like this. The large temple on top further defies modern architectural norms. Most people who visit here have one common remark – this cannot be the work of humans. Were there giants who built it? Only the gods know.

Another mysterious structure was found beneath the ocean.

The Yogayuni Monument, Japan

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The divers had first found the Yogayuni Monument in the late 1980s in an underwater rock formation off the coast of the Ryukyu Islands in Japan. The big debate that surrounds the monument till today is whether it’s man-made or naturally formed. Some argue that the edges of the rock are so straight and are almost as accurate as 90-degree angles. It looks like the work of human hands. However, another group of researchers argue as to how a structure as big as this got under the ocean. Was it previously on the surface and was sunk eventually due to a natural calamity? The debate continues.

The next mystery seems straight out of the hell.

Ciudad Perdida, Columbia

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Known as the “Green Hell”, the Ciudad Perdida was discovered in 1972 by a local group of bounty hunters. These treasure looters had carried gold figurines and ceramic urns in the local market for sale. These precious artefacts were discovered by local archaeologists who reached the site in 1976. It was built sometime around 800 A.D. What’s completely distinct about this abandoned city is a series of terraces carved right into the mountainside. The terraces are tastefully done and look spectacular. There were signs of human habitation found on the site and so the historians figured that the city had housed up to 8,000 people before eventually being abandoned during the Spanish conquest. Who ruled it? What was their modus Vivendi? All these questions were never really answered.

The next site on this list may haunt you at night.

Roopkund, India

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One of the largely trekked mountains around the world, Roopkund is also known as ‘skeleton lake’. The peak is breathtaking with a beautiful combination of the sun shining on the snow and a spotless blue sky right above. But what makes it an absolutely sought-out mystery, the likes of a horror movie, is the presence of human skeletons scattered at several places. These skeletons date back to 9th century. There’s little evidence of whether it was a place of human sacrifice, a spot of massacre or simply the case of travellers getting lost and dying. Trekkers around the world hike this peak just to experience how it feels to sleep in a camp alongside human skeletons.

Sometimes unfinished business creates mystery, just like this one…

The Unfinished Obelisk of Aswan, Egypt

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Just when you think you have read up everything about Egyptian history, something totally new is discovered. There are several obelisks in Egypt but the one located in the ancient quarries of Aswan is particularly mysterious. This huge monolithic stone block was intended to be a 120ft / 36m tall obelisk but it was left unfinished. The estimates say that a block of granite this size would easily weigh more than 1000 tons but some geologists have suggested a figure in the region of 1100 tons – 1150 tons. Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th dynasty is believed to have ordered the obelisk’s construction in 1508 B.C. If finished, it would have been the largest erected obelisk at the time.. But how did the Egyptians transport the rocks and materials needed to make such a huge structure? Even modern-day cranes couldn’t.

In ancient times, people’s bodies were put for preservation even before they died. Find out how…

The Kabayan Mummy Caves, Philippines

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Before we share about this mystery, consider a typical belief associated with mummies. Admit it, you are one of those people who think mummies are found only in Egypt. So this mystery comes as a shock to many like you. Behold the Kabayan Mummy Caves located in the Philippines. Now, these are man-made caves and are filled with hundreds of perfectly preserved mummies. Creepy enough? Wait, they have two more peculiar qualities. One, the drying up process of these mummies began even while the person was alive. The person would be administered with saltwater when death was near to begin dehydration. Two, people used a lengthy process of ‘smoking’ and dehydration in order to preserve them. These date back to 2000 BC and no one knows exactly why they were preserved like this?

It’s rather heartbreaking when old towns are discovered in the depths of the ocean. Just like this…..

The Gulf Of Cambay, India

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Anything on, beside or beneath the ocean has got to be mysterious. The Gulf of Cambay off the coast of India is considered a cradle of an unknown civilization. Sunken in the ocean, the spot was not discovered until 2001. Historians have dated the city as far back as 9500 B.C. Did the city sink after flood? The only theory that falls within a general comprehension is that a great earthquake led to its sinking. It looks haunting yet stunning. And it’s sad no one knows what really led to its sinking.

Ever seen a monument that celebrates human sacrifice? Read about the next one…..

The Goseck Circle, Germany

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Now here’s a thoughtfully designed structure that aligns with the movement of the earth. The Goseck Circle is a meticulously crafted structure dating back in the 49th century B.C in Saxony-Anhalt in Germany. It is created from stone, gravel and wood. But guess what? Its entrances are aligned with the sunrise and the sunset on solstice days. Isn’t that peculiar? It was noticed by human civilization, not until 2003. It is an object of interest in the worlds of archaeology, architecture, astronomy and even astrology. The creepiest detail about this structure is the presence of human remains. Was it a place of sacrifice on certain days? No one knows for sure.

The next in the list is among the Seven Wonders of the World, yet puzzles people.

Petra, Jordan

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Petra in Jordan is today among the new batch of Seven Wonders of The World. As a result, it attracts a lot of attention. It was discovered in southern Jordan, in 1812, by Swiss explorer, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Dubbed as “the lost city”, Petra is distinct due to its rock-cut architecture and advanced water conduit system. It dates back to 312 B.C. But apart from that, not much is known about Petra. The carefully carved structure hints at an extremely intelligent man behind its construction. Who was he? A king or a little-known architect of his time? Who knows?

Since there are so many mysterious stone structures in the world, there should have been a common theory by now. But none of these stone spheres…

Stone Spheres, Costa Rica

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There’s something extremely symbolic about stone structures. They shout of secrets and mysteries from the past. The stone spheres located on the Disquis Delta, on the Isla del Cano, in Costa Rica have by far dodged archaeology. Locally known as Las Bolas, these stones have been found in large numbers. There are over 300 of them varying in size around the country. Some of the spheres weigh-in at over 15 tons! Researchers found out that the spheres were crafted from a local stone, known as gabbro. Natural rocks were hammered before smoothing the surface with sand. The purpose of these spheres remains unknown.

The next site in the list just strengthens the belief that ancient man was more intelligent.

Masuda-no-Iwafune, Japan

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Doesn’t this look like an alien spacecraft? Precisely why it made it to the list. This structure in Asuka, Japan resembles a spacecraft and baffles scientists as to its purpose. The local people call it the “Ancient Rock Ship of Asuka”. It has a peculiar shape that doesn’t look like any of the ancient structures or monuments present in Japan. Of course, there are all kinds of theories. One of them claims that the structure was an ancient calendar used in Japanese agriculture in the olden times. Japanese scientists have been restless.

Perhaps ancient civilizations were more religious. Or at least those who built the next structure were.

Gobekli Tepe, Turkey

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The look and feel of this structure inspire awe and respect instinctively. It is theorized by archaeologist Klaus Schmidt that it was a Neolithic sanctuary and it was used as a holy site. Another structure that’s crafted from stone megaliths, the Tepe was excavated in 1996 by a German archaeological team. It is made up of stone slabs and pillars. The structure contains runes and animal designs – which indicate either sacrifices or rituals involving the use of animals. But whether or not Gobekli Tepe was indeed a site for worship or animal sacrifice or the place of worship of animal deities – nobody has been able to determine so far.

The next structure celebrates astronomy of the old times. Yet it’s not very old.

Georgia Guidestones, Georgia

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Georgia Guidestones were commissioned quite recently in 1979 by a man who used the pseudonym Robert C Christian. This structure confuses many people because its stone slabs have inscriptions in four different languages, namely Greek, Sanskrit, Babylonian and Egyptian hieroglyphs. But what’s truly remarkable about these Guidestones is that all of these stones are astronomically aligned. It is believed that the monument was crafted to withstand catastrophic events and functioned as a compass, calendar, and clock. Wow, that does sound thoughtful. However, no natural tragedy has struck the area since and the practicality of these stones remains to be tested.

The jungles hold their own kind of mysteries.

The Giant Headstone, Guatemala

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Just like the Amazon forest, the jungles of Guatemala hide several secrets from humans. There are rare species of flora and fauna apart from the presence of some giant stone structures. One such structure called The Giant Headstone was discovered in the late 1980s. It is believed to be one of the 17 Olmec colossal heads that were crafted around 900 B.C. The first such head was discovered in the 19th century by Tres Zapotes, igniting the world’s interest in Olmec culture. Their significance is yet to be determined.

The last and final structure in the list is one of the seven wonders.

The Great Pyramid Of Egypt, Giza

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This is almost everyone’s favourite mystery. Archaeologists and scientists have widely explored this site for years and they keep going back to it in search of more answers. It is unarguably one of the oldest and largest pyramids according to historians. The Great Pyramid of Giza is located in Giza, Egypt and has been included among the “Seven Wonders of the World”. This specific pyramid even today continues to confound archaeologists. Its sheer size and magnificence have raised questions over the years as to how Egyptians built it on their own. The weight of the stones and the way the stone slabs are arranged into this pyramid just makes the most seasoned archaeologists sit in amazement. There’s also a popular conspiracy theory that says that the aliens were involved. Well, aliens do get more credit in our world than they truly deserve.